A MOTHER whose son was wrongly linked to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has hit out at the way he is portrayed in a best-selling book about the mystery.

Briton Robert Murat was cleared of any involvement in the case four years ago but Kate McCann’s book Madelaine, about her missing daughter, has brought back painful memories for Jenny Murat, 76.

Having seen the McCanns’ suffering at the hands of the British press highlighted in last week’s Leveson report, she is anxious to stress her son’s total innocence.

She and Robert had hoped their nightmare would end in 2008 when he won £600,000 damages from British newspapers, but last night at her home on the Algarve, Mrs Murat spoke of how still the “tragedy consumes us, day in, day out”.The widow and former nurse said: “Kate of all people should know what it is like to be wrongly accused, so how can she be comfortable repeating wrong allegations about my son in her book?”

In the book published last summer, Kate wrote: “Two officers talked openly about Robert Murat, who remained an arguido [suspect] and drip-fed us snippets of ‘evidence’ linking him to Madeleine.”

ìHow can she be comfortable repeating wrong allegations about my son in her book?î

Jenny Murat

However, later in the book she writes: “Nothing we were told by the police indicated Murat took Madeleine or was in any way involved in her abduction.” Mrs Murat argues: “Surely it would have been wiser not to mention the allegations from the outset if there was ‘nothing relevant’.”

The police spotlight fell on Robert 11 days after Madeleine vanished from the McCanns’ holiday apartment in Praia de Luz, Portugal in May 2007.

Mrs Murat said: “Robert was at my home throughout that night and thankfully that is now fully accepted as fact. He did not leave once.”

She feels Robert, too, should have been called to give evidence to the Leveson inquiry.

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She explained: “Again we were denied an opportunity to put our side of the story. Robert was the subject of a most disgraceful character assassination, yet was not even invited to contribute to the debate. His life has been hugely damaged. This tragedy consumes us, day in, day out.

[b]She added: “Kate’s book and the resulting publicity did not help. I do feel sympathetic towards the McCanns and obviously wish they could find their daughter. We can’t fathom the hell they must go through but they seem oblivious to the impact all this has had on our lives and the lives of others.

“We tried our best to help, but have ended being pilloried and abused and still it goes on.”

Mrs Murat, now working on her own book about the case, added: “I am sick of all the half-truths and innuendos, so I do want a full and accurate record of the truth. It is important that our story is told"

On 14 September 2008, the News of the World published extracts from 'Kate's Diary'. The newspaper claimed that the 135-page 'journal', written on an A4 pad, had been passed to them by a Portuguese reporter.

When it became apparent that Kate had not given authorisation for its release, the online article was instantly removed. Both The Sun and the News of the World published apologies and made an undisclosed payment to Madeleine's Fund.

Portugal's best-selling daily newspaper 'Correio da Manhã' had already serialised extracts from the diary during July 2008 without comment from the McCanns."

EXCERPTS from Kate McCann's diary covering the first agonising weeks after daughter Maddie vanished have emerged.

They show that the desperate mum left messages asking PM Gordon Brown to "increase political pressure" to aid the search. After he phoned 40-year-old Kate and husband Gerry, she noted that Mr Brown was "nice and supportive" — but that she "felt a bit emotional after".

The pages were obtained from police files by a Portuguese paper.

Maddie, now five, went missing in the Algarve in May 2007. Disgraced police chief Goncalo Amaral, 48, has made fanciful claims in his new book that it was impossible to conduct the inquiry due to political pressure brought by the McCanns.

Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said last night the claims were "distorted and ridiculous".

Meanwhile, shameless Amaral said yesterday he may write another book about the case.

Kate McCann tried everything to blame Robert Murat for the disappearance of her daughter, and with that objective in mind and the help of friends, committed herself to finding evidence to convince the Polícia Judiciária about the involvement of the British-Portuguese.

Get all the exclusive details in this Tuesday's edition of 'Correio da Manhã'

Madeleine McCann's mother engaged in collecting indicia that would lead to the accusation of the Anglo-Portuguese [man] over the little girl's disappearance

Kate McCann bet everything into blaming Robert Murat over the disappearance of her daughter, and it was with that purpose in mind and with the help of friends that she engaged in collecting evidence and in convincing the Polícia Judiciária of the Anglo-Portuguese [man's] involvement.

On the day that Murat is made an arguido, already after friends of the McCanns referred his presence in the surroundings of the apartment on the evening of the disappearance of Madeleine to the authorities, Kate registered in her notes that she had become "very hopeful, excited about this".

Three weeks later, Kate, who met frequently with the PJ during the investigation, writes that "Robert Murat continues to be the main suspect". "For good reason", she adds, lamenting that there is not "strong evidence".

When three of the friends are called to the PJ to repeat their statements following contradictions about the presence of Murat at the Ocean Club, on the 11th of July, Kate tries to excuse her friends with the fact that they were questioned in the presence of the Anglo-Portuguese [man]: "What happened was that they were questioned in the room, sitting beside Murat and his lawyer. He apparently said that they were lying, which made them quite angry. They started thinking that he was certainly involved. What was he hiding???"

In her notes dated July 18, almost two months after Maddie's disappearance and at a time when there are starting to appear indicia against the McCanns, Kate sounds disheartened and reinforces the accusations against Murat: "I had lots of hope that there would be progress in Murat's situation. I'm sure that he is involved and I feel like killing him, but I can't". Nine days later, Madeleine's mother receives a message from a woman that tells her that Murat tried to photograph the granddaughter of a friend, also three years old and blond, and Kate sends "the whole" information to the PJ. "I'm certain that he is guilty and I just want to scream", she writes on the 27th of July.

Premonition with Malinka

Sergey Malinka, aged 23, had been living in Praia da Luz for eight years. He was a friend of Robert Murat – one of the first suspects of the disappearance of Madeleine – and he ended up becoming involved in the turmoil of suspects because he was the last person to contact the Anglo-Portuguese [man] after the child disappeared. He was also close to Murat because he set up the online page for Romigen – the company that belonged to the Anglo-Portuguese and to Michaela Walczuch.

Although Malinka was only heard as a witness, he ended up becoming involved in the abduction. The questioning was hard and outside the PJ, the agents' irritation could be heard because the questions remained unanswered. His phone was tapped, just like Murat's, but nothing relevant was detected.

In her notes, Kate refers to Malinka as one of the persons involved in the little girl's abduction. The first indication is dated June 5 and also concerns Murat. "Robert Murat continues to be the main suspect and for good reason, but unfortunately there isn't strong evidence. Malinka and Michaela are also very much in the scene. I always had a bad premonition, uncomfortable, about Malinka. He is cold", wrote Kate, who later on supplied information to Método 3, a Spanish detective agency, telling them that a witness had seen Michaela transporting a child.

It is recalled that Malinka, of Russian nationality, was heard by the PJ on the 16th of May, two days after Murat was made an arguido and the PJ searched his house.

The Russian was damaged because there were equally suspicions in his past. Malinka reportedly engaged in sexual relationships with minors, which turned him into a potential predator. The fact that he is a computer expert led the Polícia Judiciária to admit that he might have abducted Maddie.

Jane Turnner (sic) guaranteed that Murat carried Maddie

Jane Turnner (sic), one of the Englishwomen that accompanied the McCanns on their holidays in Praia da Luz, guaranteed after the first few hours upon the disappearance that she saw a man carrying a child walking towards Casa Liliana (where Murat lived). Later on – and also facing the suspicions that befell the Anglo-Portuguese [man] - Jane said she was almost certain that the man she had visualised for a few seconds only was in fact Robert Murat.

The witness' statement was considered to be credible during the first hours and strengthened the suspicions that befell the Anglo-Portuguese [man]. Robert Murat ended up being the target of a search on the 14th of May and was heard at the PJ on that same morning, denying any involvement in the child's disappearance. The lack of indicia ended up determining his release.

Murat continues to be the main suspect and for good reason, but unfortunately there is no strong evidence.

June 5

I had lots of hope that there would have been progress in Murat's situation and that they had more things about him. We have no understanding of it, is to lie with how many teeth have (Note: Currently seeking clarification on this sentence). Thinking about it causes so much anger and hatred in me. I am sure that he is involved and I want to kill him, but I cannot.

According to Clarence Mitchell, the undisclosed payment made to Kate for the unauthorised publication of her diary by NoTW was £125,000. Interestingly, Kate then went on to choose the Sun- of all the papers in the UK- to serialize her book.

@ShuBob wrote:According to Clarence Mitchell, the undisclosed payment made to Kate for the unauthorised publication of her diary by NoTW was £125,000. Interestingly, Kate then went on to choose the Sun- of all the papers in the UK- to serialize her book.

Who then went on to pay her anywhere between half a million or a million? Rebekkah Brooks wouldn't say.

ShuBob wrote:According to Clarence Mitchell, the undisclosed payment made to Kate for the unauthorised publication of her diary by NoTW was £125,000. Interestingly, Kate then went on to choose the Sun- of all the papers in the UK- to serialize her book.

Who then went on to pay her anywhere between half a million or a million? Rebekkah Brooks wouldn't say.

Yes, strange that someone who described herself as feeling mentally raped/violated (to Levenson?) by the unauthorised publication of her diary in the NOTW went on to have such a productive, not to say lucarative relationship with R Brooks & co. Unfortunately, Levenson failed to investigate the extent of the McC's relationships with some sections of the press and to unravel what was authorised by them and whether there was in fact complicity in some of the alleged abuses.

This discussion seems to be an overlap with "the Framing of Robert Murat" - perhaps they could be merged?

She added: “Kate’s book and the resulting publicity did not help. I do feel sympathetic towards the McCanns and obviously wish they could find their daughter. We can’t fathom the hell they must go through but they seem oblivious to the impact all this has had on our lives and the lives of others.

“We tried our best to help, but have ended being pilloried and abused and still it goes on.”

Truer words never were spoken and THAT is what makes the Mc's so unpalatable to right minded people.

@ShuBob wrote:According to Clarence Mitchell, the undisclosed payment made to Kate for the unauthorised publication of her diary by NoTW was £125,000. Interestingly, Kate then went on to choose the Sun- of all the papers in the UK- to serialize her book.

The Sun of all the newspapers she could have used . And she's supposed to be a Scouser !

@Smokeandmirrors wrote:She added: “Kate’s book and the resulting publicity did not help. I do feel sympathetic towards the McCanns and obviously wish they could find their daughter. We can’t fathom the hell they must go through but they seem oblivious to the impact all this has had on our lives and the lives of others.

“We tried our best to help, but have ended being pilloried and abused and still it goes on.”

Truer words never were spoken and THAT is what makes the Mc's so unpalatable to right minded people.

Snip from your post Smokeandmirrors, We can’t fathom the hell they must go through but they seem oblivious to the impact all this has had on our lives and the lives of others.'and the lives of others' Who are the others?

@Smokeandmirrors wrote:She added: “Kate’s book and the resulting publicity did not help. I do feel sympathetic towards the McCanns and obviously wish they could find their daughter. We can’t fathom the hell they must go through but they seem oblivious to the impact all this has had on our lives and the lives of others.

“We tried our best to help, but have ended being pilloried and abused and still it goes on.”

Truer words never were spoken and THAT is what makes the Mc's so unpalatable to right minded people.

Snip from your post Smokeandmirrors, We can’t fathom the hell they must go through but they seem oblivious to the impact all this has had on our lives and the lives of others.'and the lives of others' Who are the others?

All those who have found themselves on the receiving end of the McCanns' venom; Amaral and his family for one.

ShuBob wrote:According to Clarence Mitchell, the undisclosed payment made to Kate for the unauthorised publication of her diary by NoTW was £125,000. Interestingly, Kate then went on to choose the Sun- of all the papers in the UK- to serialize her book.

Who then went on to pay her anywhere between half a million or a million? Rebekkah Brooks wouldn't say.

Yes, strange that someone who described herself as feeling mentally raped/violated (to Levenson?) by the unauthorised publication of her diary in the NOTW went on to have such a productive, not to say lucarative relationship with R Brooks & co. Unfortunately, Levenson failed to investigate the extent of the McC's relationships with some sections of the press and to unravel what was authorised by them and whether there was in fact complicity in some of the alleged abuses.

This discussion seems to be an overlap with "the Framing of Robert Murat" - perhaps they could be merged?

Yes indeed, 'feeling raped' by having extracts from her diary printed online did not stop her from publishing the whole caboodle in the Sun as long as she got paid for it. The diary is a misnomer in any case because even at that early stage (don't forget she only started it a few weeks after 3/5 and 'filled in the gaps' retrospectively) the reason she allegedly started a diary was to have a record of events. But Gerry had already started his blog, which was far more detailed and had the same function. The diary is a construct and it's clear from reading it that it was meant to be published. After all, talks about a film were in progress as early as December 07. It follows that a book would be part of that. The first book the McCanns said they'd publish would be about 'Their year of hell' . So not 'the situation Madeleine found herself in' then. This was announced around April 08.

To get back to Murat, he knows exactly what happened imo and having his mum write the book is just like Gerry passing information to the masses via Philomena. But imo all his complicity was post-event, assisting a crime after it had been committed.

My opinion is: GM and Murat knew each other. (The PJ has proof of that I believe).The Burgau apartment is a factor since JT might be implicated there, the photographs of Maddie may have been taken there, photographs which are near enough paedo candy imo. The Burgau apartment is connected to Murat. Murat came over in a hurry and his story as to why doesn't stack up. He told a large number of lies when interviewed about his activities.Murat imo was the central figure to help move and hide the body although, like Gerry, he didn't do this himself, a third party was involved. In this context perhaps we should remember Malinka's burnt-out car and the word 'Fala' (talk) written on it. Murat was to help by spying on the police by being a translator and reading documents. He was in fact caught doing just that. He was singled out as a likely suspect by MI5 in particular I believe and a British profiler . The PJ followed him and tapped his phone but since they already had the measure of the parents and the T7 whose stories didn't stack up, as well as the ridiculous abductor seen by JT, they didn't want to arrest Murat. The arrest was forced by JT suddenly identifying Murat as the man she'd seen and two other Tapas suddenly being sure they saw him on the night outside the apartment. These, imo, were outright lies.

Now the question is 'why did they want Murat arrested?' . Anyone else would have done, Malinka perhaps even better, but they wanted to have Murat arrested. So they must have been sure he wouldn't talk. In other words, the reasons for Murat not to talk were stronger than if he'd come clean about his involvement. Which makes me think TM had something on him which they could use, something quite apart from his involvement with the 'abduction'. Lori Campbell worked on having him in the frame almost from day one. Pressure to put Murat in the frame must have come from HQ McC imo.

Imo Kate hated Murat and he may be the one she referred to in the diary as 'the person who made so much additional trouble for us.'Murat got 600,000.- from the press and his two associates 100,000.- each. That would hurt TM who'd been going for 4 million from the Express group and only got 550,000.-.

So to recap: Murat was known to them. He helped them - possibly by finding someone/somewhere to move and temporarily store the body. Indications (see Dr. Roberts on early interviews) are that they didn't know where or did know where but didn't have a key to the location. Murat may have wanted payment for his services or TM - aided by MI5 et al - saw him as a danger. He might talk too much, he might betray them accidentally. MI5 may well have been briefed to roll the whole thing up as fast as possible, TM wanted it to last as long as possible. Having Murat arrested was at best a stop gap.

Jenny Murat may well think the best of her son. I don't think she knows anything much. Her house and garden have been scrutinised by the world, mysterious South Africans have invaded her garden with even more mysterious equipment. Villa Liliana became a tourist attraction, I hope she makes a mint out of the book. Libel is a two-edged sword.

I certainly feel that Robert Murat is not in the clear, thanks to the inconsistencies with his statements and his sometimes strange behaviour.

Tigger, I'm not sure though whether Jenny Murat's garden was ever invaded by Stephen Birch - to me, that's on a level with Team McCann's best whoppers!

I shouldn't say it but I actually miss Mr Birch and his ramblings!

I should have said 'virtual' visits by SA person. I certainly didn't believe anything he wrote. The PJ, I understand checked every inch of the house and garden, which can't have been pleasant either. Murat was reported to be ready to sue two of the Tapas I believe, but he must have changed his mind. This was somewhere early in 2008, when TM and other were still busy battening the hatches.

I hope the Express will serialise the book, I promise to buy the Express even at the highly inflated price here, if they do.

Eddie and Keela alerted to items and places concerned with the McCanns - and importantly to no other items or places.

According to Eddie and Keela, the body of Madeleine McCann lay lifeless behind the sofa in Apartment 5a, clinging to the only thing from which she could derive any comfort; a soft toy called 'Cuddle cat'.

Kate's book 'madeleine', Page 219: "Did they really believe that a dog could smell the 'odour of death' three months later from a body that had been removed so swiftly?"

After forensic analysis of the 'Last Photo' there is little doubt now that the pool photo CANNOT POSSIBLY have been taken on the Thursday 3rd May, but most likely on the Sunday 29th April. So, where was Madeleine at lunchtime on Thursday?

John McCann:"This was terrible for them, Kate dressed Amelie in her sister's pyjamas and the baby said: "Maddy's jammies, where is Maddy?"Martin Roberts:"If Madeleine's pyjamas had not, in fact, been abducted then neither had Madeleine McCann."Dr Martin Roberts: A Nightwear Job

Death Toll in McCann Case

Gerry McCann called for an example to be made of 'trolls'. SKY reporter Martin Brunt doorstepped Brenda Leyland on 2 October 2014 after a 'Dossier' was handed in to Police by McCann supporters. She was then found dead in a Leicester hotel room the next day. Brenda paid the price.

Colin Sahlke died suddenly in mysterious circumstances with a significant amount of morphine in his system. At the Inquest the coroner said there was no evidence as to how he had come to take morphine, and no needle mark was found.Gerry McCann had met Sahlkebefore he helped with the search but did not show any concern for his death. Link

Ex-Met DCI Andy Redwood had a "revelation moment" on BBC1's Crimewatch on 14th October 2013 when he announced that Operation Grange had eliminated the Tanner sighting - which opened up the 'window' of opportunity' from 3 minutes to 45 minutes, in accordance with their remit, to allow the staged abduction to happen.

The 'SunOnline' journalist, Tracey Kandohla: "A McCann pal told The Sun Online: "Some of the savings have been siphoned off from the Find Maddie Fund into a fixed asset account, which financial experts have advised them to do. It can be used for purchases like buying a house, or building equipment."